BISMARCK, N.D. -- Hypermarkets could use below-cost gasoline sales to siphon customers from small-town businesses, North Dakota gas station owners claim.

"That money won't be going back into the hometown bank. It'll sit in a vault somewhere in corporate America," said Mike Rud, who operates a Garrison Bay Express store. Rud is among the fuel sellers supporting legislation sponsored by state Sen. Rich Wardner (R) that outlaws the sale of motor fuel below a business' own cost of acquiring it, reported the Associated Press.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- Meanwhile, the same forces are at work in Iowa. A business group there is also trying to stop large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Hy-Vee from what it says is predatory gasoline pricing, said the Associated Press.

The Iowa Business Alliance is seeking legislation that would halt the practice, which could drive other firms out of business, said Natalie Battles, a spokesperson for the group, which has 103 gas stations and distributors among its members.